EP3810862A1

EP3810862A1 - Valve with rocker

Info

Publication number: EP3810862A1
Application number: EP18826578.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Rainer Kaupp
Original assignee: Husqvarna AB
Current assignee: Husqvarna AB
Priority date: 2018-06-21
Filing date: 2018-12-17
Publication date: 2021-04-28
Anticipated expiration: 2038-12-17
Also published as: TW202001136A; WO2019242871A1; EP3810862B1

Abstract

A valve (100) includes a valve housing (110) which defines a valve inlet (112) and a valve outlet (114). The valve (100) includes a valve element (202) coupled to the valve housing (110). The valve (100) includes a valve pin (204) coupled to the valve element (202). The valve pin (204) is adapted to actuate the valve element (202) to allow flow of a fluid from the valve inlet (112) towards the valve outlet (114). Further, the valve (100) includes a rocker (118) adapted to push the valve pin (204) to actuate the valve element (202). The valve (100) is characterized in that the rocker (118) is adapted to push the valve pin (204) when pressed at either one of a first end (120), a second end (122), or at a location between the first end (120) and the second end (122).

Description

VALVE WITH ROCKER

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to dispensing devices. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to improved valve actuation by a rocker of the dispensing devices.

BACKGROUND

Dispensing devices are used to dispense liquids and are operated generally by a manual action which leads to actuation of a lever associated with such devices. Generally, the dispensing devices include a valve which can be actuated by a pin or disc shaped element. The element is adapted to be actuated by the lever based upon user action. In some demanding cases, the lever may be required to be actuated by action of a container which is to be filled with material dispensed from the dispensing devices.

An example of a dispensing device is provided in U.S. patent application 6,789,708 (hereinafter referred to as’708 reference). The’708 reference discloses a dispenser which includes an actuation switch and an actuator. The actuation switch can either be manually activated in a first direction or it may be activated by pushing a container against the actuator in a second direction which, in turn, pushes the actuation switch in the first direction to dispense a use solution. However,’708 reference comes short of providing versatility in actuating the actuation switch by using any of manual action or the container.

Thus, there is a need of more efficient and user-friendly actuation of valve of the dispensing devices, preferably by use of profile of the container.

SUMMARY

In view of the above, it is an objective of the present invention to solve or at least reduce the drawbacks discussed above. The objective is at least partially achieved by a valve. The valve includes a valve housing. The valve includes a valve inlet defined in the valve housing. The valve includes a valve outlet defined in the valve housing. The valve includes a valve element coupled to the valve housing. The valve element selectively allows flow of a fluid from the valve inlet towards the valve outlet. The valve includes a valve pin coupled to the valve element. The valve pin is adapted to actuate the valve element to allow flow of the fluid from the valve inlet towards the valve outlet. Further, the valve includes a rocker adapted to push the valve pin to actuate the valve element. The rocker extends between a first end, and a second end. The valve is characterized in that the rocker is adapted to push the valve pin when pressed at either one of the first end, the second end, or at a location between the first end and the second end. Thus, the present disclosure provides a simple, efficient, and user-friendly working of the valve with a convenient and location-flexible actuation of the rocker.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the valve is coupled to a water distributor. The valve can find applications with different systems such as water distributors, water computers, dispensers among others.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rocker is manufactured by three-dimensional printing. Use of three-dimensional printing (alternatively, 3D printing) allows versatility of using different materials along with low lead-time in manufacturing and design of the rocker.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a user of the valve is provided with a data file having pre- stored instructions to print the rocker by a three-dimensional printer. This allows more efficient use of the rocker of the valve and provides options to customize the rocker, if required.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rocker is presented in digital format. The rocker may be made available in the digital format as per compatibility with state-of-the-art technologies among other considerations such as security, user convenience etc.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rocker is made of a material selected from one or more of polymers, plastics, metals. The choice of material can usually depend upon factors such as usability, maintenance, weight, and life of the desired rocker. Other features and aspects of this invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows perspective view of a valve of a dispensing device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the valve, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows side perspective view of the valve, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 shows side cross-sectional view of the valve, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the invention incorporating one or more aspects of the present invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. For example, one or more aspects of the present invention can be utilized in other embodiments and even other types of structures and/or methods. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the invention. For example, "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "side", "longitudinal", "lateral", "transverse", "upwards", "downwards", "forward", "backward", "sideward", "left," "right," "horizontal," "vertical," "upward", "inner", "outer", "inward", "outward", "top", "bottom", "higher", "above", "below", "central", "middle", "intermediate", "between", "end", "adjacent", "proximate", "near", "distal", "remote", "radial", "circumferential", or the like, merely describe the configuration shown in the Figures. Indeed, the components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation of the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

FIG. 1 illustrates a valve 100. The valve 100 includes a valve housing 110. The valve 100 includes a valve inlet 112 defined in the valve housing 110. The valve 100 includes one or more valve outlets 114-1, 114-2 (generally 114) defined in the valve housing 110. As illustrated, there can be multiple valve outlets 114 such as two valve outlets 114-1, 114-2 of the present disclosure. Further, the two- valve outlets 114-1, 114-2 may be configured to work substantially independently or dependently based upon the type of application. Moreover, the two-valve outlets 114-1, 114-2 may have same or different actuating means or mechanisms, such as for example, a rocker 118 of the present disclosure.

The valve housing 110 includes a knob arrangement 116 associated with valve outlet 114-2. For conditions such as non-use case of the rocker 118 and the valve outlet 114-1 arrangement, the knob arrangement 116 can be given preference to obtain desired fluid discharge from the valve outlet 114-2. Moreover, the rocker 118 and the valve outlet 114-1 arrangement of the present disclosure is preferred to be used with the knob arrangement 116, however, it can be readily employed with any other arrangement without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the housing 110 may be housing of a water distributor (not shown) and a primary valve arrangement with a rocker 118 and a secondary valve arrangement with a knob arrangement 116 may be provided to cater to two water outlets 114-1, 114-2. The rocker 118, as illustrated herein, can be a plate-like element provided around lower portion of the valve 100 for better accessibility, and thereby, lead to ease of implementation of the valve 100. Although, the rocker 118 of the present disclosure has been illustrated with plate-like shape, other shapes or designs (say a pin, bar, lever, or U shape) of the rocker 118 have been contemplated and are well within the scope of the present disclosure. The rocker 118 includes a first end 120 and a second end 122, which can be used to deliver desired actuation to the rocker 118 by manual action or even by contact with a container (not shown). As evident, the amount of actuation of the rocker 118 will decide the flow of fluid out of the valve outlet 114-1 associated with the actuated rocker 118. The valve 100 may also include a button (not shown) to selectively work with the rocker 118 depending upon the need. In some embodiments, there can be means to set sensitivity (or flow rate) of the rocker 118. The sensitivity can be measured as displacement of the rocker 118 per unit force (m/N in SI units). Further, there can be means to optimize any other setting associated with the rocker 118 as would be required for applications with different dispensers, water computers and the like.

The rocker 118 shall preferably have at least two contacts or supporting points i.e. the first end 120 and the second end 122, disposed around the valve outlet 114-1. This allows actuation of the rocker 118 when pushed around center or anywhere between the at least two contacts or supporting points. Thus, the present disclosure allows fluid discharge from the valve outlet 114-1 either by moving the container (not shown) against bottom of the rocker 118 or even by manual action on the rocker 118.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the valve 100. The valve 100 includes a valve element 202 coupled to the valve housing 110. The valve element 202 is adapted to selectively allow flow of the fluid from the valve inlet 112 towards the valve outlet 114-1. The valve 100 includes a valve pin 204 coupled to the valve element 202. The valve pin 204 has been illustrated as a circular or disc like element, however, specifications such as shape, design, dimensions of the valve pin 204 generally depend upon the valve element 202 or the valve 100 itself, among other factors. Thus, the present disclosure is not to be limited by the valve pin 204 in any manner whatsoever. The valve pin 204 is biased by a spring 206 although any other biasing means such as cam, gear or any other mechanism as known or employed in the relevant art, may be used. The valve pin 204 is adapted to actuate the valve element 202 to allow flow of the fluid from the valve inlet 112 towards the valve outlet 114-1.

The valve 100 includes the rocker 118 adapted to push the valve pin 204 to actuate the valve element 202. As explained earlier, the rocker 118 extends between the first end 120, and the second end 122. Thus, the rocker 118 of the present disclosure is adapted to push the valve pin 204 when pressed at either one of the first end 120, the second end 122, or at a location between the first end 120 and the second end 122. This provides ease of operation particularly with cases involving users without empty hands to actuate the rocker 118. In such cases, any object such as the container (not shown) can be used to make contact with and actuate the rocker 118 thereby making for a convenient and user-friendly operation.

FIGS.3 and 4 illustrate side view and side cross-sectional view of the valve 100 respectively. As illustrated, the valve pin 204 is adapted to move depending upon position of the rocker 118 arm and thereby effectuate change in the flow of the fluid. Preferably, actuation of the rocker 118 of the valve 100 can be performed with borderline or side of the container (not shown) to allow simultaneous filling of the container (not shown) with the fluid being dispensed from the valve outlet 114-1. This also frees hands of a user for any other demanding operation.

In some embodiments, the rocker 118 is manufactured by three- dimensional printing (also known as additive manufacturing or 3D printing). Further, the user of the valve 100 can be provided with a data file having pre- stored instructions to print the rocker 118 by a three-dimensional printer. These features enable custom designing or any modifications, if required, to be performed with least effort. Moreover, use of 3D printing allows more freedom in choice of materials such as plastics, polymers, metals, or any other material as know or used in the art. Lastly, the rocker 118 can be conveniently presented such as in a digital format keeping in mind type of applications or end-user preferences among other factors. Depending upon different factors, the valve 100 of the present disclosure may find different applications such as by being coupled to a water distributor, dispenser and the like. Without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, one or more valve housings 110 may be configured together to work independently or in unison for more demanding or large-scale applications. More particularly, the valve 100 may find applications with systems such as, but not limited to, a stand alone device being screwed to a tap (or simply any fluid supply), a twin-tap connector or a multi-channel water distributor.

FIGS. 5 to 8 illustrate various embodiments of application of the valve 100 described by the present disclosure. FIG. 5 shows the valve 100 as a standalone product. The valve 100 may be coupled to a water supply, a hose pipe, or any other such arrangement through the valve inlet 112. The valve 100 may be actuated by pressing the rocker 118. As the rocker 118 can be conveniently 3D printed, the rocker 118 may be provided in a variety of shapes and sizes as well as per application requirements. More specifically, a user may appropriately customize the rocker 118 as per application requirements and make better use of the valve 100. For example, the valve outlet 114-1 may supply water to water collection containers (not shown). In some embodiments, the rocker 118 may have a large size to cater to large water collection containers. In alternative embodiments, the rocker 118 may be of a relatively smaller size when catering to small sized water containers. As an exemplary scenario, size and shape of the rocker 118 may be different altogether when the valve outlet 114-1 is coupled to a hose pipe (not shown).

FIG. 6 shows the valve 100 coupled to a water distributor 602. The water distributor 602 receives water from a tap 604, and supplies water through an outlet 606. The valve 100 is coupled to the outlet 606. The valve 100 controls flow of water through the outlet 606. The valve 100 may be actuated by pressing the rocker 118. A user may avoid setting the water distributor 602 ON and OFF repeatedly by setting an amount of water flow initially with the water distributor 602. Then, a user may control the flow of water through the valve 100 by simply using the rocker 118 to actuate the valve 100. FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the present disclosure. The valve housing 110 includes two valve arrangements. The knob arrangement 116 may always be provided in an open state, and then another valve 702 may be coupled to the valve outlet 114-2 to control flow of water conveniently therefrom. It should be contemplated that the valve 702 is functionally and structurally similar to the valve 100. Another similar exemplary embodiment is shown in FIG. 8. A valve 802 with manual adjustment by knob arrangement 804 is further coupled with the valve 702. The knob arrangement 804 may always be provided in an open position, and a rocker 806 may be used to control flow of water through the valve 802.

In an advantageous embodiments there is a locking mechanism is provided between the rocker (118, 806) and the valve housing (110). This locking mechanism will cause the rocker (118, 806) when once pushed out of the closed position of the valve (100) to stay locked in its pushed position, so that the valve (100) stays open. Thus it need just one pushing to constantly open the valve (100). When pushed again the rocker (110, 806) closes the valve (100) again. This very much the same than trigger mechanism known from pens.

LIST OF ELEMENTS

100 Valve

110 Valve Housing

112 Valve Inlet

114-1 Valve Outlet

114-2 Valve Outlet

116 Knob Arrangement

118 Rocker

120 First End

122 Second End

202 Valve Element

204 Valve Pin

206 Spring

602 Water distributor

604 Tap

606 Outlet

702 Valve

802 Valve

804 Knob arrangement

806 Rocker

Claims

1. A valve (100) comprising:

a valve housing (110);

a valve inlet (112) defined in the valve housing (110); a valve outlet (114-1) defined in the valve housing (110);

a valve element (202) coupled to the valve housing (110), wherein the valve element (202) is adapted to selectively allow flow of a fluid from the valve inlet (112) towards the valve outlet (114-1);

a valve pin (204) coupled to the valve element (202), wherein the valve pin (204) is adapted to actuate the valve element (202) to allow flow of the fluid from the valve inlet (112) towards the valve outlet (114-1); and

a rocker (118, 806) adapted to push the valve pin (204) to actuate the valve element (202), wherein the rocker (118, 806) extends between a first end (120), and a second end (122);

characterized in that:

the rocker (118, 806) is adapted to push the valve pin (204) when pressed at either one of the first end (120), the second end (122), or at a location between the first end (120) and the second end (122).

2. The valve (100) of claim 1, wherein the valve (100) is housed inside a housing of a water distributor.

3. The valve (100) of claim 2, wherein the housing further includes a

secondary valve having another water outlet (114-2).

4. The valve (100) of claim 3, wherein the water outlet (114-2) further

includes another valve (702) coupled to the water outlet (114-2).

5. The valve (100) of claim 1, wherein the valve (100) is coupled to an outlet (606) of a water distributor (602).

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6. The valve (100) of claim 5, wherein the outlet (606) of the water distributor (602) further includes a hose pipe coupled to the outlet (606), such that an amount of water being supplied to the hose pipe is controlled by the rocker (118, 806).

7. The valve (100) of claim 1 to 6, wherein the rocker (118, 806) has two pivot points defined by the first end (120) and the second end (122) of the rocker (118, 806).

8. The valve (100) of claim 1, wherein the rocker (118, 806) laterally

extends over the valve outlet (114-1).

9. The valve (100) of claim 1, wherein the rocker (118, 806) can be actuated through pressing by upper periphery of a water container.

10. The valve (100) according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein a locking mechanism is provided between the rocker (118, 806) and the valve housing (110) that locks the rocker (118, 806) when once pushed out of the closed position of the valve (100) in its pushed position, so that the valve (100) stays open, and when pushed again closes the valve (100).

11. A rocker (118) for a valve (100) according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the rocker (118, 806) is manufactured by three-dimensional printing.

12. The rocker (118) of claim 11, wherein a user of the valve (100) is

provided with a data file having pre-stored instructions to print the rocker (118, 806) by a three-dimensional printer.

13. The rocker (118) of claims 11 or 12, wherein the rocker (118, 806) is presented in digital format.

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14. The rocker of any of the claims 11 to 13, wherein the rocker (118, 806) is made of a material selected from one or more of polymers, plastics, metals.

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